Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2020
388. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if public houses that serve food can reopen similar to restaurants under phase 3 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business; if not, the public houses which can reopen similar to restaurants at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11730/20]
View answer390. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Health if clear advice will be provided to pubs on the way to safely reopen with regard to plastic screens, social distancing and other practical arrangements. [11779/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 388 and 390 together.
As the Deputy is aware, the Government confirmed the move to Phase 2 of Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business from Monday, 8 June 2020. Information and advice about the restrictions that have been eased as part of Phase 2 and the measures that are now in place are available on the Government website at http://www.gov.ie/phase2.
The Government also agreed to bring forward actions in the remaining phases of the Roadmap and plan for four phases rather than the five originally indicated. On 19 June 2020, the Taoiseach, on behalf of the Government, announced the restrictions that would be eased and the measures that will be in place when Phase 3 is introduced on 29 June 2020. This will be subject to continued progressive improvements in the health indicators identified in the Framework for Future Decision-Making described in the Roadmap.
The Deputy may wish to note that pubs and hotel bars operating as restaurants are included in these measures. It is important to note that pubs not operating as restaurants can only re-open when it is permitted to do so. All pubs, including those that serve food other than drinks, are required to be registered with the Health Service Executive in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. All food businesses must also have a food safety management system in place based on the principles of Hazard (Analysis & Critical Control Point (HACCP) to control the risks in their food business.
Further information on these and other businesses food safety management systems has been published by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and is available at https://www.fsai.ie/faq/coronavirus.html.
The Deputy may also wish to note that in preparing to re-open as per the Government announcement, the hospitality sector, as applicable, should refer to the HPSC COVID-19: Guidance for Food Service Businesses to assist them to carry out a detailed risk assessment and ensure that the communal spaces of venues, amenities and activities operate in line with physical distancing and the mass gatherings restrictions applying in Phase 3 and Phase 4.
Fáilte Ireland has also published updated guidelines for the re-opening of Restaurants and Cafés available at the following link: https://failtecdn.azureedge.net/failteireland/Guidelines-for-Re-opening-Restaurants-and-Cafes.pdf These guidelines are underpinned by advice made available from the HSA, HSE, HPSC, FSAI, World Health Organisation (WHO) and other relevant bodies.
In addition, on 9 May the “Return to Work Safely Protocol - COVID-19 Specific National Protocol for Employers and Workers” was published. It provides clear guidance to employers and to workers on the measures that must be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. The Protocol was developed through the cooperation of the Health and Safety Authority, the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, the HSE and my Department. It is designed to be used by all workplaces to adapt their procedures and practices to provide protection against the threat of COVID-19.
Further information on the easing of restrictions as part of Phase 3 is available at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/d06271-easing-the-covid-19-restrictions-on-29-june-phase-3/
